Orioles Power Past Erik Bedard And Rays 7-5

Erik Bedard Struggles Continue In 7-5 Loss To Orioles

The Tampa Bay Rays (28-44) lost the middle game of their three game series with the Baltimore Orioles (36-34) by a final score of 7-5. Erik Bedard (3-5, 4.33 ERA) takes the loss lasting just four innings allowing five runs (all earned) on four hits striking out three and walking two.

In the top of the third Chris Davis delivered the big blow against Bedard connecting on an 0-2 fastball that he drove out of the park to the opposite field for a Grand Slam to put the Orioles ahead 5-0.

To the Rays credit the offense continues to show life in large part thanks to the return of the home run. In the bottom half of the third the Rays picked up two quick runs on back to back home runs by Sean Rodriguez (#7) and Desmond Jennings (#6).

After Bedard exited the game with a runner on second and nobody out in the top of the fifth Kirby Yates came in to strand the runner and keep the game at just a 5-2 deficit.

The Rays cut the lead to 5-4 on a James Loney 2-RBI double to score Matt Joyce and Evan Longoria. Back to within a run it was up to the Rays bullpen to hold the Orioles at bay and give their offense a chance.

Kirby Yates did his part in retiring the Orioles in order in the sixth inning but Brad Boxberger fell victim to the home run ball in the top of the 7th allowing a 2-run shot to Steve Pearce that extended the Orioles lead to 7-4.

The Rays mounted a rally in their half of the eighth inning putting runners on the corner with nobody out after a leadoff double by Ben Zobrist and an infield single by Ben Zobrist. Yunel Escobar delivered a sacrifice fly to score Zobrist and Kevin Kiermaier followed with a single but Darren O’Day came back to strike out Sean Rodriguez and retired Desmond Jennings on a fly out to center.

Miguel Gonzalez benefited from the Orioles offense and picked up the victory despite only going five innings and allowing four runs (all earned) on eight hits. Zach Britton came in to work the ninth inning and picke d up his eighth save on the year.